Comment: A single policy on IVF treatment

The heartache faced by Deborah Harris and her husband Stephen these past 14 years is difficult for the majority of us to comprehend.

Their greatest wish is to have a child. But nine miscarriages, one stillborn child, two ectopic pregnancies and a course of fertility treatment has left them still wishing their dream will come true.

They have clung to the hope their local health authority would authorise another course of IVF treatment. That hope has been dashed. The primary care trust within whose domain they fall will authorise just one such treatment.

It's an inconsistent policy, guaranteed to cause resentment, because some neighbouring trusts offer two chances, some as many as three. Understandably, Mr and Mrs Harris question the unfairness of it all. NHS Bristol says limiting its IVF treatment to each couple ensure access to it by as many people as possible.

Mr and Mrs Harris only option now appears to be a costly private treatment, unless their appeal against the decision is successful.

The time has come for every NHS provider of IVF treatments to have one, clear and consistent policy about this. That way everyone would know exactly where they stand.